From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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ACORNS is today celebrating a decade of support for female entrepreneurship in rural Ireland with the launch of the 10th cycle of the business development programme.
The free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs based in rural Ireland has been running since 2014 and is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM).
Charlie McConalogue T.D, Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, today (August 6) launched the opening of the call for applications for ACORNS 10. The deadline for applications is midnight, September 20th.
The Minister said:
“2024 marks a decade of support from my Department for Female Rural Entrepreneurs. This initiative has supported over 400 women in rural Ireland over the last ten years. The programme aims to address the skills, enterprise and capability gaps that female entrepreneurs can face and takes into account the barriers which often limit entrepreneurial activity in rural areas. I am delighted that once again we can target this area and help Female Rural Entrepreneurs to realise their dreams of starting and growing successful businesses.”
A survey carried out at the end of ACORNS 9 in April revealed that participants increased their total turnover over the course of the six-month programme, by €1.2 m, from €2.8m to €4m (+43%). All participants surveyed said that they would recommend participating in ACORNS to others.
Participants also reported doubling their total workforce to 133, with 59 full-time and 74 part-time staff employed at the end of the cycle – an increase of 67. There were also four new exporters over the cycle.
Some 96% said that their participation brought about practical change within their business, with the same number saying the programme helped them feel nearer to achieving their entrepreneurial ambitions.
ACORNS is based on the belief that early-stage entrepreneurs learn best from their peers. Participants interact with each other in the monthly round table sessions, which are facilitated by a Lead Entrepreneur, who has first-hand experience of starting and successfully growing a business in rural Ireland. There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10. Those wishing to receive an application form for ACORNS 10 should register on the website www.acorns.ie
Only early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, and who have had no sales before the end of June 2021, are eligible to apply. As ACORNS receives many more applications than there are places available, selection is on a competitive basis.
ACORNS 10 will run from October 2024 to April 2025 and will include six monthly round table sessions, a workshop on understanding financials, a briefing by various development agencies and an end-of-cycle celebration.
There will be no charge for those selected to participate in ACORNS 10, thanks to the continuing support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contribution of time by the Lead Entrepreneurs.
While 57 participants completed ACORNS 9 and returned end of cycle feedback, the initiative also provided continued support to more than 300 past participants through the ACORNS Community, which provided them with the opportunity to take part in workshops, roundtables, a Community Forum and other networking events.
Each of the Lead Entrepreneurs give their time to the programme on a voluntary basis, as they believe in the philosophy of ‘entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs’.
This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs are Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Larissa Feeney, Kinore; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; and Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies.
In addition, experienced businesswomen, Clare Duignan and Geraldine Kelly, who are on the Going for Growth advisory panel, will facilitate ACORNS Plus round tables for previous participants, who are committed to continuing driving forward the development of their businesses.
In addition, a series of regional Gatherings for ACORNS Community members will be held in the autumn to celebrate 10 years of the initiative. These Gatherings will provide an opportunity for previous ACORNS participants to reconnect, network with other ACORNS from different cycles in their region and focus on the continuing and further development of their businesses.
QUOTES FROM AN ACORNS LEAD ENTREPRENEUR AND TWO PARTICIPANTS
"As a voluntary Lead Entrepreneur with ACORNS, I am deeply committed to fostering the growth and success of early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland. Having experienced the value of facilitated roundtables first hand, throughout my own entrepreneurial journey, I believe ACORNS provides an unparalleled platform for women to develop their start-up businesses, gain critical insights, and build lasting networks. By participating in this programme, these entrepreneurs receive the guidance and encouragement they need to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their progress and to be part of a movement that empowers women to drive economic and social change in their communities."
- Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice, ACORNS Lead Entrepreneur
Participating in ACORNS definitely helped my business because I was surrounded by likeminded people, who all wanted to get a business up and running, and you weren’t on your own. We’re still connected and still support each other now. I also had great support from the ACORNS team and our Lead Entrepreneur. They really focused my mind on the business. I feel much more confident.
- Carina Roseingrave, Burren View Farm, ACORNS 9
“ACORNS was absolutely amazing. You meet other people that are, like yourself, just starting out in business. You are also part of such a strong community that has your best interests at heart. It’s a very safe environment to air anything you might be struggling with. You know that if you’ve got a question, there’s always someone there with the expertise to help you answer that question and get you through.”
- Olivia Morrissey, Rostellan Farm, ACORNS 7 and ACORNS Plus
ENDS
Image: Acorns 1 – L to R - Olivia Morrissey Rostellan Farm, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., Alison Ritchie Polar Ice, Carina Roseingrave Burren View Farm
Image: Acorns 2 – L to R - Olivia Morrissey Rostellan Farm, Paula Fitzsimons Director ACORNS , Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., Alison Ritchie Polar Ice, Carina Roseingrave Burren View Farm
Image: Acorns 3 – L to R - Olivia Morrissey Rostellan Farm, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., Alison Ritchie Polar Ice, Carina Roseingrave Burren View Farm
About ACORNS
ACORNS, which stands for Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups, is in its 10th year. It is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). ACORNS was a runner up in the 2018 European Enterprise Promotion Awards, Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills. The programme was developed by Fitzsimons Consulting.
Eligibility Criteria for participation on ACORNS
To be considered for ACORNS, applicants must:
• Have set up a new business which has generated sales no earlier than the end of June 2021 or be actively planning a new venture and have made good progress towards getting the new venture off the ground. Indicators of actively planning a business would include organising the start-up team, sourcing equipment / facilities, money saved for the start-up, writing the business plan, etc.
• They must own or part-own the business and be living in a rural area, that is in an area outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
• If selected, applicants must be available to attend the launch Forum and first round table session on October 21 and 22, 2024.
• They must expect to become an employer within three years.